AC Milan vs Parma preview - Donadoni: Milan will be ready for us

Posted Friday, February 15, 2013 by PA

AC Milan will not be distracted by next week's high-profile meeting with Barcelona when they take on Parma, according to the visitors' head coach Roberto Donadoni.

The Rossoneri have surged back into contention for a Champions League place following a disappointing start to the season, thanks in part to the immediate impact made by Mario Balotelli, who has scored three goals in two games since returning to the San Siro.

Balotelli should line up against Parma given the fact he is cup-tied for the first leg of Milan's Champions League knockout encounter with Barcelona on Wednesday, with Italy striker Stephan El Shaarawy among those likely to be rested, but Donadoni knows the Gialloblu will have their work cut out regardless.

He told fcparma.com: "I don't expect that Milan will be thinking about Barcelona already. We shouldn't think that Milan will give us any presents.

"If you stop Balotelli, El Sharaawy, Robinho and (M'Baye) Niang are still there. Thinking only about playing against one player would limit us and the opponent also has to worry about what we're doing."

It will be another emotional return to the San Siro for Donadoni who played most of his illustrious career with Milan, the graceful midfielder enjoying his halcyon days under Arrigo Sacchi in the late 1980s.

"I don't know how many times I have gone back as a coach," he added. "It was my home as a player but some years have passed since then.

"I remember the last match I was there when the Milan fans chanted my name, it made me happy and even more proud that I'd worn the shirt for so many years."

Parma could face their former defender Cristian Zaccardo, who moved to the San Siro in January but is yet to feature.

The Gialloblu are missing goalkeeper Antonio Mirante and midfielders MacDonald Mariga and Daniele Galloppa through injury but right wingers Aleandro Rosi and Marco Marchionni return from suspension in a bid to seal the club's first three-point haul of the new year.

Milan dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Cagliari and head coach Massimiliano Allegri is determined to make amends as soon as possible.

"We have to understand that tomorrow's game is one of those that has to be won," he told acmilan.com.

"We've conceded too many goals from dead-ball situations and we have to improve. We'll work on it in training but we've conceded too many headed goals."

Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini serves a one-match suspension while defenders Daniele Bonera and Bartosz Salamon miss out through injury alongside Dutch midfielder Nigel De Jong.